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  • Pintail

Pintail

Pintail (male)
Pintail (male)
Pintail (female)
Pintail (female)
  • Scientific name: Anas acuta
  • Bird family: Ducks, geese and swans
  • UK conservation status: Amber
  • Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Audio

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Marco Dragonetti, Xeno-canto

Key information

Slightly bigger than a mallard, these long-necked and small-headed ducks fly with a curved back pointed wings and a tapering tail, making this the best way to distinguish them from other ducks in the UK.

The pintail is a 'quarry' species, meaning that it can be legally shot in winter, but - unlike in parts of Europe - it does not appear that shooting is affecting their population status in the UK. The small breeding population and significant winter population make them an Amber List species.

What they eat:

A variety of plants and invertebrates.

Measurements:

Length:
63-70cm
Wingspan:
80-95cm
Weight:
0.55 to 2.2 kg

Population:

UK breeding:
9-33 pairs
UK wintering:
29,000 birds

Identifying features:

This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.

Pintail (male)

Male pintail
Feather colour: Black Brown Cream/buff Grey White Yellow
Leg colour: Brown
Beak: Black Blue Long Duck-like Chunky
Natural habitats: Grassland Marine and intertidal Wetland

Pintail (female)

Female pintail
Feather colour: Black Brown Cream/buff Grey White
Leg colour: Brown
Beak: Black Blue Long Duck-like Chunky
Natural habitats: Grassland Marine and intertidal Wetland

Similar birds:

  • Gadwall male
    Gadwall
  • Mallard male
    Mallard
  • Male teal
    Teal

Where and when to see them

Pintails are a localised species, occurring at sheltered coasts and estuaries. Particularly large concentrations can be found on sites such as the Dee Estuary, Solway Estuary and Ouse Washes.

* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  • Resident
  • Passage
  • Summer
  • Winter
Pintail distribution map

You can see pintails all year round. Wintering birds arrive from September with numbers peaking in December. The return migration takes place from late February into March.

  • jan
  • feb
  • mar
  • apr
  • may
  • jun
  • jul
  • aug
  • sep
  • oct
  • nov
  • dec

RSPB reserves

  • RSPB Dee Estuary - Point of Ayr
  • RSPB Lough Foyle
  • RSPB Mersehead
  • RSPB Amberley Wildbrooks
  • RSPB Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve
  • RSPB The Loons and Loch of Banks
  • RSPB Havergate Island

Video

Pintail video

Video clip of pintails on the water.

Video clip of pintails on the water.

Play video
Pintail video screenshot

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Shoveler, Brownsea Island Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve, Dorset, England

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